After saying “no to war” and drawing the wrath of Donald Trump, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez closes Spain’s airspace to planes participating in Operation “Epic Fury,” led by the United States and Israel against Iran. A strong political decision that now forces American bombers to change their routes.
The two air bases in Morón and Rota, located in Andalusia, are now off-limits to any aircraft involved in the war in Iran. One exception remains: in case of emergency, transit or landing on Spanish soil is still allowed.
Another detail: the air control in Seville will not cut off contact with the B-2 Spirit bombers of the US Air Force, which can still fly over the Strait of Gibraltar.
Stealth bombers stay connected
Seville remains a technical relay for the B-2 Spirit bombers, these stealth giants with over 50 meters of wingspan that take off from Whiteman Air Force Base (Missouri), strike their targets in Iran, and return without stopping.
In the weeks leading up to the February 28 attack, the Pentagon had already deployed around fifteen refueling aircraft to the Rota and Moron bases.
According to El País, Washington had approached Madrid to deploy bombers there to protect NATO bases in case of an Iranian counterattack.
The Spanish refusal has immediate effects. The American refueling aircraft linked to Epic Fury have left Spain to redeploy in France and Germany. Some are operating from Istres, in Provence, to refuel the American bombers now stationed in England, from where attack missions to Iran depart.
This is not the first time that Madrid has refused Washington. 35 years ago, Felipe González’s government had already refused to allow the Morón and Rota bases to be used by American forces during the Gulf War.
No support, Madrid recalled, can be provided for an operation conducted outside a clear mandate from the UN or NATO. This is exactly the same principle that Pedro Sanchez invokes today.
An explosive debate in Madrid
The position of the Spanish Prime Minister sparked an intense parliamentary debate last Wednesday in Madrid.
Pedro Sanchez recalled the historic slogan of “No to war” from 2003, when 90% of Spaniards opposed José María Aznar and his support for the Iraq War.
“To remain silent in the face of an illegal war is cowardice!” Sanchez exclaimed towards the right and far-right in Spain.
Immediate response from Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Popular Party:
“You claim to be a pacifist, but you have tripled your arms purchases from the United States. You are a fake pacifist!”
In response, former Prime Minister José María Aznar issued a statement through his foundation, justifying his choice to support the war 23 years earlier:
“Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. The Aznar government acted based on the available information and logic. There was neither deception nor manipulation.”
Weakened internally, Pedro Sanchez is fiercely attacked by the right and the populist party VOX. But his stance against war simultaneously strengthens his support among progressive and left-wing circles, where his refusal to automatically align with Washington is widely praised.
